Food fest offers taste of Delhi

NEW DELHI: Want to sample something hot and spicy to warm yourself up in this punishing cold? Head out to Baba Kharak Singh Marg near Connaught Place where Dilli Ke Pakwaan is being hosted by Delhi Tourism.
Its fifth edition was inaugurated by Union minister for science and technology and earth sciences Harsh Vardhan and MP Meenakshi Lekhi on Wednesday.The annual seven-day food festival will end next Tuesday.
The festival opens at noon and is on till 9pm. With over 20 stalls offering delicacies to tickle the taste buds of Delhiites, the entire space is decorated in brightly-coloured drapes and ribbons, the food showcasing the city’s different culinary cultures. Here one can get a taste of Purani Dilli Ki Biryani, Daulat Ki Chaat, Khan Ke Kabab, Changezi Chicken and Dilli Ke Pakwaan as well as Mr Momos and Hut Kulfi.
Every stall owner has brought their own level of authenticity and flavour to the fest. “The idea is to spread awareness among Delhiites about the own food of their own city,” Tanya, an organizer, said. There’s free candy distribution to child visitors on all seven days.
The festival displays 40 exclusive food items. With mutton biryani and nihari being sold for only Rs 200-300, the menu fits all pockets. Even vegetarians have a variety of dishes to choose from. Namak Food Studio, which offers a 100% pure veg thaali, sold more than 70 thaalis on the first day.
The star attraction seems to be Changezi Chicken, from Jama Masjid, the heart of non-veg food in the city. Owners, twins Mohammad Nauman and Mohammad Afnan, say chicken nihari is their best-selling dish, right next to biryani, Afghani chicken and zafrani kheer. They serve a full seven-course meal.
Visitors were seen crowding stalls for a nibble. “India has many treasures to offer to the western world; their food is one of the best,” US tourist Alex Clevlend said. Stall owners said the prices do not vary from their original. “With the sudden change in weather, we also require a change in our food; and what better way to experience it than to visit this food paradise?” Vinod Bhateja, a visitor, said. Indeed, with the cold wave relentless, Dilli Ke Pakwaan seems just the right place to be.
But there’s more to this fair than just food. Textile industries from various states have put up their stalls. One such stall owner is M Y Bhat from J&K handicrafts emporium who’s trying to cover his losses from the devastating floods in the valley. “We sell handmade suits, shawls, stoles, jackets and overcoats ranging from Rs 800 to Rs 1 lakh,” says Bhat. Carpets, saris and handmade jewellery are also a huge hit.